MSO: Does that mean that DC says it's new?

[obaa996]

MSO: Does that mean that DC says it\'s new?

Hey folks,
Since I originally posted that I was looking for an early car, I've gotten mail from various folks with pointers to cars; thanks!
I was forwarded some info on some cars that was curious. The cars ranged in age from '94-'00; these cars had some miles on them (generally under 4k), but were still on "MSO" at dealers. To me, this sounds like the cars are either dealer demos, or possibly the dealership owner's personal car, that they drove around on dealer plates. Does that sound about right? And if so, then whomever buys the car would be the first original owner, correct?
So if I were to buy one of these cars, theoretically, I'd be buying a new Viper, at least on paper. Does this mean I'd be entitled to the 7yr/70k powertrain, 3yr/36k bumper-bumper warranties? It'd be pretty impressive to have the factory warranty a car that would be 16yrs old at the end of the warranty period!

I guess a major concern is that the cars may have had a hard life despite the low miles if they were a demo; I'd imagine that they would have been flogged pretty hard. Maybe not so much if they were the owner's car.... The cars seem to run more than the equivalent used car, but if you really do get a new car warranty, it might be worth it, right? Anyone know if this is true, or just wishful thinking on my part?

Thanks!
Mike

 

[VIPR GTS]

Re: MSO: Does that mean that DC says it\'s new?

At GM even if the car is on MSO, the in service date is the date
that it was put into demo service, I would presume Dodge is the same way. You can buy an untitled car that the warranty started on long before you purchased the vehicle. And I would not worry too much about cars in demo service, I doubt there are too many dealers that actually put a Viper in service as an actual demo or as perks for their General Manager.

 

[Ron]

Re: MSO: Does that mean that DC says it\'s new?

<FONT face="Comic Sans MS">As I understand it, the in service date as far as warranty is concerned is the date the dealer paid off the floor planning note.

In my case, I was the first owner of a 1996 GTS purchased in Sept. of 2000, but the warranty started when he paided off note in late 1997. </FONT f>

 

[FRANK RT/10]

Re: MSO: Does that mean that DC says it\'s new?

MSO only means that you are the first registered owner. A car can have many miles or only a few depending on the use the car had at the dealership. usually a car with miles is a demo and demo mostly means a car a manager or owner drives but I have seen dealers let coaches of sports team drive demos, girlfriends, ex wives, children etc... You also must do a inspection on the car it will have a clean carfax but that does not mean it was not in a major accident. also if a dealer sells a car to a customer and the financing falls apart but the car is already delivered it would have to come back to the dealership and have miles on it but still would sell as new. Long story short have the car fully inspected no matter what even if it brand new 2003 with 3 miles on it it could have paint work or maybe even fallen off a truck. I know this sounds paranoid but I work for a dealership and have seen this happen many times.

 

[Matt M PA]

Re: MSO: Does that mean that DC says it\'s new?

A car still on MSO, Manufacturer's Statement of Origin is indeed, in the eyes of the law a "new" vehicle. Unless the dealer placed the car "in service" for a warranty claim..it is still new and the warranty should not start until the first registered owner take delivery. I bought my '96 GTS new in '98 and the warranty started then.

 

[VIPR GTS]

Re: MSO: Does that mean that DC says it\'s new?

Not trying to dispute what has been said, but, in Ohio, the in service date for a warranty can be prior to the MSO being converted to a title through a retail sale. It has nothing to do with floor plan, which may be through a commercial bank, or a captive institution (read GMAC etc.) or a dealer can just pay cash and not floor plan, in any case, the factory has no care as long as they have their money. Dealers report demonstrators to the factory when they are put into service, for what ever reason, and that is the date the factory uses for warranty start date.
Also, most states now have disclosure laws which dictate that damage to a car must be disclosed to a consumer prior to the sale of the car. As an example, Ross Buick-Mercedes, Dayton, Ohio, lost a lawsuit on a used car for failure to disclose a repair to a door they did prior to the sale, very expensive, dealers are never looked upon in a good light in courts.
Still, as FRANKRT says, be careful.